Federal brokers descended upon a California residence related to the “TikTok Cult” pastor who was the topic of a latest Netflix documentary sequence Friday — as a part of an investigation into intercourse trafficking and different felony claims.
A number of folks had been detained after a Tujunga residence partially owned by Pastor Robert Shinn was raided by brokers from the FBI, IRS, US Postal Service and Division of Labor, the Los Angeles Occasions reported.
Officers served warrants associated to allegations of intercourse trafficking, cash laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion and COVID-19-related fraud, in accordance with the outlet.
The identities of these detained weren’t instantly clear.
At the least six handcuffed folks and one lady holding a toddler had been seen in KTLA chopper footage of the raid of the residence, which featured within the Netflix docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,” the station reported.
One witness reported listening to flash-bang grenades go off in the beginning of the 6 a.m. regulation enforcement operation, in accordance with the LA Occasions.
Self-proclaimed “man of God” Shinn, who based Shekinah Church in 1994, helped create 7M Movies in 2021, and the LA-based expertise administration firm allegedly lured dancers with guarantees of turning them into TikTok stars.
A few of these dancers had been additionally conscripted into the Shekinah Church and acted as recruiters for 7M, which they declare is inseparable from the spiritual group.
Former members of Shekinah Church who additionally labored for 7M movies alleged Shinn abused and manipulated them, with some even accusing the guru of sexual assault.
Melanie Goldman, a former dancer and parishioner, claimed within the documentary that she noticed “half a dozen girls” run into the church “screaming at the top of their lungs,” TV Insider reported.
Different former dancers additionally claimed that there is no such thing as a distinction between 7M and the church, with Shinn instructing members in fiery sermons proven within the doc to “die to” their households, or now not have contact with them.
Dancer Aubrey Fisher, a former 7M and Shekinah member, claimed Shinn pressured him to provide as a lot as 70% of his revenue to the twisted church — together with a ten% “man of God fee” for himself, in accordance with the outlet.
Former member Melanie Wilking went viral with a 2022 Instagram plea to attempt to attain her sister Miranda, who was “no longer in control” of her life.
The siblings had a preferred joint TikTok web page once they joined 7M and had a falling out when Melanie left over considerations about Shinn’s management over members, in accordance with Folks, however have since reconciled.
Shinn has beforehand denied claims that the Shenikah Church and 7M are affiliated, TV Insider reported.
In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit towards a number of former church members after they referred to the group as a cult, CNN reported final yr.
